Slipover cover

ABSTRACT

A decorative slipover cover for use in combination with a plastic beverage container having a pouring spout in the top thereof. The cover is first formed in a blank form and then folded so as to present a hollow sleeve having a closed bottom end and an openable top end including a pair of flaps. The beverage container can be slipped into the top end, following which the top end flaps, which have one edge surface cut on a bias, are closed so that the pouring spout projects from an opening formed between the bias cut edges of the flaps. Fold-out portions simulating the ears, horns, and tail of any desired animal are also provided so that when assembled and in place on the beverage container, a representation of an animal is provided without impairing the utility of the container.

United States Patent [191 Bissler 1 Feb. 18, 1975 SLIPOVER COVER [75] Inventor: William L-. Bissler, Kent, Ohio [73] Assignee: Consolidated Foods Corporation,

Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Feb. 7, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 330,298

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,838,556 12/1931 Knorer ..229/8 3,739,975 6/1973 Davidow ..229/8 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 472,603 0/1914 France 150/52 R Primary Examiner-William 1. Price Assistant Examiner--Douglas B. Farrow Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Freeman & Taylor [57] ABSTRACT A decorative slipover cover for use in combination with a plastic beverage container having a pouring spout in the top thereof. The cover is first formed in a blank form and then folded so as to present a hollow sleeve having a closed bottom end and an openable top end including a pair of flaps. The beverage container can be slipped into the top end, following which the top end flaps, which have one edge surface cut on a bias, are closed so that the pouring spout projects from an opening formed between the bias cut edges of the flaps. Fold-out portions simulating the ears, horns, and tail of any desired animal are also provided so that when assembled and in place on the beverage container, a representation of an animal is provided without impairing the utility of the container.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED H 81% 3.866.814

SHEET 2 [1F 2 SLIPOVER COVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates primarily to promotional material and, in particular, to a unique slipover cover which can be employed in conjunction with a conventional container for beverages such as milk of the plastic type having a foldout pouring spout therein. The cover is formed and decorated so as to simulate an animal, thereby increasing its appeal to the ultimate user and particularly to children.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The following prior art is known to Applicant:

Morgan US. Pat. 1,485,144 Knorer US. Pat. 1,838,556 Green US. Pat. 2,73l,75l Palm US. Pat. 2,805,516 Baumgartner U.S. Pat. 2,932,432 Peters US. Pat. 2,936,927 Chase US. Pat. 3.003.678

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention primarily relates to promotional material designed to enhance the sale and use of beverages which are carried in plastic containers having fold-out pouring spouts in their top ends.

The invention involves a slipover cover basically formed in the shape of.a hollow sleeve with the same cross-sectional configuration as the container on which it is intended to be used.

It is well known in the food industry that all manner of interesting and decorative designs are utilized to encourage users such as. for example, young children to use the food product.

This particular cover is designed for use with a plastic milk container, for example, but, of course, could be used with any type container which has a pouring spout in its top end. 1

It has been found that the overall appearance of the container can be enhanced by providing a hollow sleevelike slipcover decorated so as to simulate an animal and having an openable top portion which can be fully opened to receive the beverage container and then closed to cover most of the top surface of the container except for the area of the pouring spout. The opening formed thereby permits the pouring spout to be folded open in well known fashion to simulate the mouth of the simulated animal.

It has also been found that various fold-out portions can be formed in the slipcover to simulate the ears, tail, horns, etc., of the animal simulated on the surface of the cover itself.

Accordingly, production of an improved slipover cover of the type referred to above becomes the principal object of this invention, with other objects thereof becoming more apparent upon a reading of the following brief specification. considered and interpreted in view of the drawings.

OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the slipover cover in place about the container.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the fold-out portions of the cover in their open 2 positions and also showing the containers pouring spout in its open position.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the cover with the foldout portions in their open positions and with the pouring spout of the container in its open position.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the cover.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cover in place showing the device in a horizontal mode.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the blank from which the cover is formed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, it will be noted that the slipover cover, generally indicated by the numeral 10, is basically a hollow sleeve which is capable of receiving the conventional beverage container 20.

Reference is next made to FIG. 6 for a description of the blank from which the cover is formed.

Basically the blank includes four integral elongate side panels 11, 12, 13, and 14. These panels are suitably decorated and imprinted on their outer surfaces as at 16 to simulate the body markings of the desired animal/In this particular instance a cow is illustrated, but it should be understood that the basic principles of the invention could be employed with any desired animal being represented.

Referring still to FIG. 6, it will be noted that the elongate side panels ll, 12, 13, and 14 are joined together by score lines 17,17 which permit the device to be folded to assume the square or rectangular cross section illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example. Panel 12 also has a narrow flap or tab extension 15 on one edge, with it being understood that once the device has been folded along the lines 17,17, this flap can be cemented or glued to the inside surface of the flap 11 to form the completed structure.

Still referring to FIG. 6, it will be noted that each of the side panels 11, 12, 13, and 14 have bottom projecting flaps 40, 41, 42, and 43. These flaps are intended tobe folded along lines 44,44 to form a substantially closed bottom portion as shown in FIG. 4. They may,

if desired, be glued or cemented together, but their very construction permits them to simply fold together.

It should also be noted that a notch 43a is provided on bottom end flap 43 and a corresponding notch 41d is provided on the bottom end flap 41. These are provided so that these two flaps can engage as shown in FIG. 4, with it being understood that flaps 40 and 42 would be folded on the inside, while the flaps 41 and 43 would fold over them and engage.

The bottom end flap 41 also has a representation of the tail 41a of the animal, and also has a score line 41b which permits the portion 410 of the flap 41 to be folded out in use to simulate the protruding tail of the animal as again shown also in FIG. 4.

The side panels 11, 12, 13, and 14 are decorated as noted above and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, particularly as at 16. to simulate the body surface of the animal. Toward the upper end of panels l1, l3, and 14, an additional decoration is provided. Specifically, on panels 11 and 14, cars 11a and 14a are provided, and perforations 11c and 146 are also provided. This permits the ears 11a and 14a to be folded out of openings 11b,l4b, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 of the drawings, to simulate the protruding or projecting ears of the animal.

Panel 13 also has a decoration adjacent its upper end, and'in this instance the fold-out portion 13a represents the horns of the animal. Again, a perforation 13b is provided about the periphery of the horns 130 so that this can also be folded out to simulate the projecting horns of the animal as again clearly shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 of the drawings,

Panels 11 and 14 additionally have projecting top end flaps 30 and 31. These flaps are decorated as illustrated to simulate the face and eyes of the animal, with the'eyes being shown at 37,37. A suitable score line 32,32 is provided to facilitate folding of the flaps from a position in which they project coextensively with the panels 11 and 14 to the covering position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5, for example. Interconnection of these two end flaps is facilitated by engaging the tab 31:! of flap 31 with the slot 30a of flap 30. Furthermore, it will be noted that the top flaps 30 and 31 are cut at a bias along the edges 30b and 31b, and in this fashion when the flaps are engaged as shown in FIG. 1, for example, anopen area is provided in the general area of what would be the mouth of the animal considering the decorations involved.

Panel 13 also has a projecting top end flap 33 on which simulated eyebrows 35,35 are provided. This fold-out portion has a score line 34 which permits it to be folded as shown in FIG. 5, for example, and the device then overlies the V-shaped portion of the device formed by the end flaps 30 and 31, as clearly shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. If desired, score lines 36,36 can be provided so that the eyelashes may be folded down over the eyes or over the edges of the flaps 30 and 31.

In use of the device, it will be assumed that the blank shown in FIG. 6 has been assembled to substantially the condition shown in FIG. 1, with top end flaps 30 and 31 remaining in an open condition. At that time it is merely necessary to slip the plastic beverage container into the top of the hollow sleeve thus formed, following which flaps and 31 may be engaged by means of the tab 31a and the slot 30a. At this time the device is inthe condition shown in FIG. 1 of thedrawings, and the opening formed by virtue of the tabs 30 and 31 being cut on an angle corresponds to the positioning of the pouring spout of the beverage container.

Following assembly to this condition, the fold-out ears, horns. and tail may be folded as desired, and the pouring spout 21 of the beverage container can be opened as shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly then, milk can be poured from the device and will appear to come from the mouth of the animal.

It should be noted that the device has been illustrated and described in connection with a square type milk carton but could be modified, of course, to conform to any cross-sectional configuration of a container. Furthermore, while a cow has been illustrated as the decorative portion of the device, any animal could also be simulated as desired.

While a full and complete description of the invention has been set forth in accordance with the dictates of the Patent Statutes, it should be understood that modifications can be resorted to without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A decorative slipover cover for use with a beverage container having a closable opening in its top end, comprising:

A. a body having 1. a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the cross-sectional configuration of the container, 2. a substantially closed bottom end, and 1 3. a pair of opposed top end flaps releasably engagable with each other and covering only a portion of the top of said container when they are engaged and forming an opening corresponding to the closable openingin said container.

2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of said body is decorated to simulate an animal, with said top end flaps simulating the head and face thereof.

3. The cover of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of opposed fold-out simulated ear members carried by said body adjacent the top end thereof.

4. The cover of claim 1 further characteriied by the presence of a fold-out simulated horn member disposed adjacent the top end of said body.

5. The cover of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of a fold-out simulated tail member disposed adjacent said substantially closed bottom of said body.

6. A decorative slipover cover for use with a beverage container having a fold-out pouring spout, compris- A. an elongate body of generally rectangular cross section including four side panels having first and second ends;

B. opposed bottom end flaps extending from said first end of each of said side panels and being foldable and releasably engagable with each other to form a substantially closed bottom wall;

C. a pair of opposed top end flaps 1. extending from said second ends of two opposed side panels 2. one edge of each top end flap being cut on a bias with respect to the longitudinal center line thereof;

D. means carried by said top end flaps for releasably interconnecting the same 1. whereby said top end flaps enclose a portion of the top of said container, with said bias cut edges forming an opening in the area of said pouring spout.

7. A foldable slipover cover blank comprising;

A. a generally rectangular body portion having three spaced longitudinally extending fold lines dividing said body into four generally rectangular side panels each having top and bottom ends;

B. a pair of top flaps 1. projecting from the top end of two of said side panels which are spaced from each other by one of said remaining side panels, with the line of juncture of said top flaps and said side panels comprising transversely extending fold lines 2. each of said top flaps having a. a first edge that is coextensive with one of said longitudinally extending fold lines and b. a second edge that tapers toward the outboard end of said flap;

C. one of said top flaps having a slot in its outboard end and the remaining top flap having a tab on its outboard end;

D. bottom flaps l. projecting from said bottom ends of each of said side panels.

9. The blank of claim 7 further characterized by the presence of a third top flap projecting from the top edge of one of the remaining side panels, with its line of juncture with said side panel comprising a fold line l= l 

1. A decorative slipover cover for use with a beverage container having a closable opening in its top end, comprising: A. a body having
 1. a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the crosssectional configuration of the container,
 2. a substantially closed bottom end, and
 3. a pair of opposed top end flaps releasably engagable with each other and covering only a portion of the top of said container when they are engaged and forming an opening corresponding to the closable opening in said container.
 2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of said body is decorated to simulate an animal, with said top end flaps simulating the head and face thereof.
 2. a substantially closed bottom end, and
 2. each of said top flaps having a. a first edge that is coextensive with one of said longitudinally extending fold lines and b. a second edge that tapers toward the outboard end of said flap; C. one of said top flaps having a slot in its outboard end and the remaining top flap having a tab on its outboard end; D. bottom flaps
 2. one edge of each top end flap being cut on a bias with respect to the longitudinal center line thereof; D. means carried by said top end flaps for releasably interconnecting the same
 3. The cover of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of opposed fold-out simulated ear members carried by said body adjacent the top end thereof.
 3. a pair of opposed top end flaps releasably engagable with each other and covering only a portion of the top of said container when they are engaged and forming an opening corresponding to the closable opening in said container.
 4. The cover of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of a fold-out simulated horn member disposed adjacent the top end of said body.
 5. The cover of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of a fold-out simulated tail member disposed adjacent said substantially closed bottom of said boDy.
 6. A decorative slipover cover for use with a beverage container having a fold-out pouring spout, comprising; A. an elongate body of generally rectangular cross section including four side panels having first and second ends; B. opposed bottom end flaps extending from said first end of each of said side panels and being foldable and releasably engagable with each other to form a substantially closed bottom wall; C. a pair of opposed top end flaps
 7. A foldable slipover cover blank comprising; A. a generally rectangular body portion having three spaced longitudinally extending fold lines dividing said body into four generally rectangular side panels each having top and bottom ends; B. a pair of top flaps
 8. The blank of claim 7 further characterized by the presence of fold-out ear simulating members carried by said side panels from which said top flaps project, with the line of juncture of said ear simulating members coinciding with said horizontal fold lines.
 9. The blank of claim 7 further characterized by the presence of a third top flap projecting from the top edge of one of the remaining side panels, with its line of juncture with said side panel comprising a fold line. 